cuquito717

Vintage Drum Guru

Visitor Messages

I have some Leedy Hector Morales timbales posted on EBay. Can you view the photos there and tell me what you can about thier age and value? I have priced them based on what I read in your posts but I'm not 100% on whether they are copper or brass. The note I found in the case places them in use in 1953 or earlier. There is a clear photo of the badge and some interior shots. They also have calfskin heads.

Fred The Bronze timbales it's pitch is a bit higher than you traditional timbales. The best of all is the brass it gives you the warmest sound. By using the Fiber skins that Remo make it will give yo a bit better sound over the ambassador heads. But if you go to calf then you will get a much better sound out of the timbales, not only the heads but the cascara will sound much better. Send me your Email so that I can send you an UN- edited copy of my book ''Every thing you need to know about the timbales.''

I have so much to learn,but am willing to spend the time. What confuses me is when you ask L.P. they say it should be ok with the stock heads. The sound of a well tuned Timbales is what keeps me on this quest.I bought the bronze ones because I was told that they would have a warmer sound, Is the fact that they are bronze part of the problem. As far as the calf skin where would be a reputable place to start looking, you mentioned Remo Fiber skin do you think( before I spend the money on calf) it would be worth a try to see if it would be better.I cant thank you enough for your input it is so refreshing to talk with someone that has some experience Fred

Fred Snyder hahaha Overtones 99% of the time if caused because of skins not tunes proper. On a timbales the best way to tune since there no register keys to tune by is, getting a well tuned tumba drum and match or blend the two tones of the large drum. (hembra) Once you have match that drum then you star to match the (macho) smaller drum. Plastic head have a tendency to ring a bit, and many out there will confuse that ring with over tones.

I have tried different tuning both a 4th and 5th apart and may tuning both high and low still this horrible overtone. I have inspected the head and they appear to be ok not out of round no cracks bearing surface ok. The small one (Hembro?) is much worse the Macho is better but still bad, I have done alot of on line investigating, listened to countless tuning videos, I can never get that sound. I am a conga player but have no experience with synthetic heads and sticks, I am using the out side of the drum and the rim shot is especially bad, anything you can tell me would be much appreciated Thanks so much for your time I realize how hard this is to not hear them, anything that you can do would be great. Fred Snyder

I was trying to buy a drum from Vinny @Vintage drum bug and I asked if he knew anyone that could help me with my Timbales and he said you were the man.They are a Tito Puente bronze 14 and 15 and I cant seam to make them sound like that traditional sound you always hear, I have been trying since Nov. L.P. has not stepped up to the plate and there is no one in Maine that has a clue. I did buy them new, they have L.P. heads, the overtone that come out is really bad they have this annoying ring,and overtone that I cant get rid of.I have tried coated Remo Ambassadors( As per Remo recommendation) tone still there, gel pad dampeners that helps, but mutes the sound End of part 1 Fred